The crash killed 29-year-old Reuben Charcas, who lives in Pensacola but grew up in Fort Walton Beach.

Charcas was driving his 2001 Hyundai west on U.S. Highway 98 when he drove onto the median, overcorrected and veered across the westbound lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The car overturned several times, ejecting Charcas and ending up in the bay, the FHP reported.

It was not immediately clear how he died or when the accident occurred.

By 6 a.m., it was “raining hard” and “very cold,” according to the first deputy at the scene.

He told the dispatcher that it appeared Charcas may have tried to walk to shore. His body was about 30 yards from the car, according to the call re-cord.

Women’s clothes were found in the vehicle, which sparked an extensive search of the water between the seawall and Marler Park for a second victim. Crews also searched Gulf Islands National Seashore, but no one was found.

On his Facebook page, Charcas said he was from Fort Walton Beach and attended Choctawhatchee High School.

Debra Carpenter, who has known him since 1998, said he recently started working as a cook at Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola.

She mourned the loss of a friend who made every-one laugh and loved to have fun.

“(He) always lit up the room with his smile, big Mohawk and studded leather jackets,” she said. “He was the kind of guy that would be friends with anyone.

“He cared for his friends as if they were family,” Carpenter added.

The accident scene slowed traffic on the island, which led to a minor wreck about 7:30 a.m. No one was injured.

The crash killed 29-year-old Reuben Charcas, who lives in Pensacola but grew up in Fort Walton Beach.

Charcas was driving his 2001 Hyundai west on U.S. Highway 98 when he drove onto the median, overcorrected and veered across the westbound lanes, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The car overturned several times, ejecting Charcas and ending up in the bay, the FHP reported.

It was not immediately clear how he died or when the accident occurred.

By 6 a.m., it was “raining hard” and “very cold,” according to the first deputy at the scene.

He told the dispatcher that it appeared Charcas may have tried to walk to shore. His body was about 30 yards from the car, according to the call re-cord.

Women’s clothes were found in the vehicle, which sparked an extensive search of the water between the seawall and Marler Park for a second victim. Crews also searched Gulf Islands National Seashore, but no one was found.

On his Facebook page, Charcas said he was from Fort Walton Beach and attended Choctawhatchee High School.

Debra Carpenter, who has known him since 1998, said he recently started working as a cook at Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola.

She mourned the loss of a friend who made every-one laugh and loved to have fun.

“(He) always lit up the room with his smile, big Mohawk and studded leather jackets,” she said. “He was the kind of guy that would be friends with anyone.

“He cared for his friends as if they were family,” Carpenter added.

The accident scene slowed traffic on the island, which led to a minor wreck about 7:30 a.m. No one was injured.